2012 Holiday Make-Up Palettes & Kits

As some of you may know, every year most of the major make-up companies put out a holiday palette/kit for the season. These are great, in my opinion, because they always include a lot of products for a low price. Anyone who is make-up obsessed would love to have any one of these, so they make for a really great gift!

This year I was surprised with how nice all of the packaging was and the variety of products in each kit.

Here are some of my favorites, along with what they include, their price, and rating according to customers.

You can purchase any of these at Sephora and you always get 3 free samples of your choice with every online purchase!

Too Faced Sweet Dreams Makeup Collection ($186 Value)

They describe it as: This dreamy set features 15 pigment-drenched ethereal shadows, a full-size Shadow Insurance primer for crease-proof, long-wearing benefits, two beautiful blushes, a sunny bronzer, and a warm, golden highlighter for the flawless complexion. Thanks to Too Faced, dreams really do come true.

Includes:

   - 15 Eyeshadows

   - Bronzer (rich matte bronze)

   - Highlighter (sheer luminous soft gold)

   - 2 Blushes

          Cocoa Rose (soft pink brown)

          Sweet Pink (fresh pink sheen)

   - Eye Shadow Primer

   - Instruction Cards

Customer Rating: 5/5

Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV

They describe it as: This much-awaited collection of 16 eye shadows includes never-boring neutrals, provocative hits of shimmer and vibrant hues, as well as a Book of Shadows first—a portable speaker and how-to videos that reveal Urban Decay's five newest looks. All you need is a phone with a camera and a web browser to scan their QR (quick response) codes and instantly download videos. Pick your look, scan the corresponding QR code, plug your smart phone into the speaker, and drop your phone in the cradle. Then, open the drawer of shadows and recreate the look right along with the how-to video. This kit also include a 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, a travel-size Eyeshadow Primer Potion, and a travel-size Supercurl Curling Mascara.

Includes:

   - 16 Eyeshadows

   - 24/7 Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion (carbon black)

   - SuperCurl Mascara in black

   - Eyeshadow Primer

   - Mini Speaker Keychain

Customer Rating: 3.5/5

Tarte Starlet Make-up Vanity ($505 Value)

They describe it as: This makeup vanity features meticulously crafted lustrous mirrored panels with beveled edges, sparkling silver inlays in each pull-out drawer (lined in Tarte's signature purple), and a large pop-up mirror to catch a final glimpse. Each of the three removable trays contains an impressive selection of high-performance natural Tarte products. The top and middle drawer hold 24 supremely-soft and blendable eye shadows in a variety of shimmer and matte textures broken down into six user-friendly shadow quads with shades ranging from Cameo (matte beige) to Stardom (blackened plum). Also tucked inside are deluxe-size samples of Tarte's bestselling Lights, Camera, Lashes! Clinically Proven Natural Mascara and multiplEYE™ Natural Lash Enhancing Primer to give you the ultimate bombshell lashes. The bottom drawer boasts deluxe sizes of Tarte's most coveted products: Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in new shades Glory (shimmering peach) and Starlet (shimmering rose), Park Avenue Princess Mineral Powder Bronzer and Provocateur Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in Rose (a gorgeous soft petal pink). Whether you plan to make it a memorable gift, or an eye-catching addition to your own dressing table, this makeup vanity is sure to delight and be this Holiday's most cherished gem.

Includes:

   - 24 Eyeshadows

   - Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess (highly pearled golden tan)

   - 2 Amazonian Clay Blushes

          Glory (shimmering peach)

          Starlet (shimmering rose)

  - Amazonial Clay Highlighter in Rose (soft petal pink)

  - MultiplEYE Lash Primer

  - Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara in black

Customer Rating: 4/5

Smashbox Click You're It Eye Palette ($250 Value)

They describe it as: Get everything you need for beautiful, camera-ready eyes this holiday season with the Click You're It Holiday Eye Palette. With 15 eye shadows, five cream eye liners, a mini photo finish lid primer—plus Smashbox's fan-favorite Get-the-Look cards, you will be able to create a multitude of magnificent looks that will have you feeling fabulous for every shot. 

Includes:

   - 15 Eyeshadows

   - 5 Cream Eye Liners

   - Photo Finish Eyeshadow Primer

   - Instruction Cards

Customer Rating: 4/5

NARS All About Cheeks Palette ($107 Value)

They describe it as: The ultimate authority in blush, this limited-edition mirrored holiday NARS compact features the essential blush and bronzer shades, ranging from warm bronze and luminous highlighting hues to shockingly bright pink. Turn a new cheek with this fashion-forward mix created exclusively for Sephora. 

Includes:

   - 6 Cheek Colors (Blushes & Bronzers)

          Hungry Heart (gold ivory)

          Super Orgasm (peachy pink with gold glitter)

          Desire (cotton candy pink)

          Casino (dark brown with golden shimmer)

          Orgasm (peachy pink with golden shimmer)

          Sin (berry with gold shimmer)

Customer Rating: 5/5

Wild & Chic Best of MAKE UP FOR EVER Kit ($103 Value)

They describe it as: Wild and Chic Best of MAKE UP FOR EVER includes all of the essentials needed to create a flawless face. Prepare the skin for makeup application using HD Microperfecting Primer and follow with HD Microfinish Powder to even out the complexion with a soft focus effect. Highlight the eyes and cheeks using Aqua Cream's long-lasting, waterproof cream formula and add dimension with award-winning Aqua Eyes. For added drama, create ultra-black lashes with Smoky Lash mascara and finish off your look with Lab Shine for the perfect pout. 

Includes:

   - HD Microfinish Powder

   - Aqua Cream Highlighter in 13 Warm Beige (champagne shimmer)

   - Aqua Eyes Eyeliner in Mat Black

   - Lab Shine Lipgloss in Star Collection (pearly pink beige)

   - HD Microperfecting Primer

   - Smoky Lash Extra Black Mascara

Customer Rating: 4/5

LORAC Bejeweled Day & Night Jewelry Box ($415 Value)

They describe it as: This dazzlingly embellished jewelry box features two beautiful, high-shine lip glosses, a radiant bronzing powder, two eyeliners in brown and black, and two versatile eye shadow palettes for both day and night.

Includes:

   - 16 Day Eyeshadows 

   - 16 Night Eyeshadows

   - 1 Day Blush

   - 1 Night Blush

   - Bronzer in Bronze

   - 2 Eye Liner Pencils in dark brown and black

   - 2 High-shine Lip Glosses in Rose and Peach

Customer Rating: 4/5

Stila Dream In Full Color Palette ($366 Value)

They describe it as: Created by Stila's pro-artists, who were inspired by fantasy, whimsy and dreams, this limited-edition palette contains an array of beautiful colors for creating countless looks for day and night. The all-inclusive palette contains everything you need for limitless looks and is packaged in a cleverly designed compact inspired by the shape of a dream catcher and the colorful burst of a kaleidoscope. 

Includes:

   - 29 Eye Shadows

   - 7 Cheek Colors

   - Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Stingray (black)

   - 12 page Look Book

Customer Rating: 5/5

Kat Von D Tattoo Chronicles Candelabra Edition ($146 Value)

They describe it as: Full of stories of mystery and intrigue, the Tattoo Chronicles Candelabra Edition looks like a gorgeous, velvet-covered book. Open its pages to see Kat's own tattoo-inspired drawings and handwritten journal entries about life, love, and beauty. Turn to the last page to reveal a palette of makeup, including sixteen trendsetting eye shadows, Kat's new Sin-Full Lash mascara, and a large mirror. 

Includes:

   - 16 Eyeshadows

   - Sin-Full Lash Mascara in Puro Amor (black)

Customer Rating: 5/5

Benefit Project Flawless ($74 Value)

They describe it as: This set is the most flawless gift of all, featuring a watermelon-pink blush, an ultra-shine lip gloss, a do-it-all mascara, and a radiance-boosting luminizer, all tucked inside a brilliant, collectible box. 

Includes:

   - Girl Meets Pearl Luminizer (pearly golden pink)

   - BADgal Lash Mascara in black

   - Ultra Shines Lipgloss in Foxy Lady (diamond rose)

   - Bella Bamba Blush (watermelon pink)

Customer Rating: 5/5

Overall, the Too Faced & the LORAC palettes stole my heart this year, but any one of these are a must have for all you make-up mavens out there! ;)

Choosing the Right Red for You

Red lipstick is and always will be a classic, bold, beautiful lip color that goes with just about everything and looks great on everyone. The most difficult part in choosing which red lipstick to buy is deciding which one is right for you. There are several different shades and it can be a bit overwhelming. I know some of you just aren't daring enough to go there, but for those of you who are I'll show you which shades will look best with your skin tone, and where to get them!

If your skin is fair, go for a coral-y red; it will add a pop of color without being overpowering.

Dior Lipstick in Blazing Red - $32 - Sephora

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Ravish Me Red - $7.99 - Drugstores

Smashbox Photofinish Lipstick in Delightful - $22 - Sephora

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Are you Red-dy? - $7.50 - Drugstores

If your skin is medium, true red looks best with your golden undertones. Look for words like 'cherry', 'fire engine', and 'candy apple'.

Make-up Forever in 42 - $19 - Sephora

Benefit Full-Finish Lipstick in Flirt Alert - $18 - Sephora

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire & Ice - $7.99 - Drugstores

Lancome L'Absolu Nu in Red Chiffon - $29 - Department Stores and Lancome

If you're dark-skinned, deep red is the shade for you. Super bright ones can seem too harsh, so look for deep burgundy and brick red.

NARS Lipstick in Shanghai Express - $24 - Sephora

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Wine with Everything - $7.99 - Drugstores

MAC Lipstick in Red - $14.50 - MAC Cosmetics

LORAC Matte Lips in Receive - $19 - Sephora

Remember - If you're going to wear a red lip, keep it simple on the eyes and cheeks! Unless you want to look like this:

Organization for your jewelry & beauty items

Organizing your jewelry, make-up, and hair accessories can make your life a lot easier and make your room look more organized and clean!

I'm seriously obsessed with organization and have major OCD so I literally have a specific spot for everything I own. If you're like me, or just want a little more order in your room, I'll show you the way I organize my belongings to make life easier.


Jewelry
If you have a lot of costume jewelry like me, finding jewelry holders can be difficult because most are made for real jewelry. Here's how I hold mine:

Necklaces: Since most of my necklaces are really long, I hang them from the wall.

Step 1: Determine how wide your rectangle needs to be depending on how many necklaces you have. You may want to do one push pin for each necklace, but I group some of mine together.

Step 2: Tape off your rectangle with painter's tape (prices vary but mine was $5.99 from Michael's Arts & Crafts)

Step 3: Using any paint you have (I just used a tube of acrylic paint at Michael's Arts & Crafts - $.59) paint your rectangle with 1-2 coats. Let Dry.

Step 4 (Optional): Using a pencil, sketch swirls or any other design you'd like. Then, go over with Sharpie or paint.

Step 5: Put the push pins up and hang your necklaces.

Earrings: These are pretty easy to organize. Many stores have a big variety of earring holders.

Mine was a gift, but you can find them at Home Goods, Marshalls, and Bed Bath & Beyond or this Mosaic Owl Jewelry Stand - $14.99 from Urban Outfitters.

Rings: Ring holders in jewelry boxes normally only hold small rings, so if you have chunky cocktail rings, try these:

I used a small dish I got at Old Navy that was around $5.00.

You could also use:

Love Bunnies Ring Holder - $12.00 - Urban Outfitters

Hair Items & other Accessories:

Hair Accessories:

I used an organization bin from Target for $10.00

Hair Tools: 

I just used push pins on my wall and hung my blow dryer, straightener, curling iron, etc. 

Scarves, Nail Polish, and other items:

I'm obsessed with this Over-the-Door Vanity Station from Urban Outfitters - $89.00

Make-Up

Having all of your make-up just thrown in a make-up bag or drawer can cause your make-up to break, which becomes a huge mess.

These little storage drawers can be found at just about any store and keep your make-up in it's best condition.  I got mine from Walmart for $7.99. Label it if you're super OCD and psychotic like me! ;)

I hope some of you try some of these, you'll be amazed at just how much easier it is to get ready in the morning without everything just throw around.